Lessons learned from ‘Vantage Point’
(With a nod to Will).
1. The first hour of a film told from several viewpoints, and going back in time, is a lot of fun.
2. The following 25 minutes get progressively sillier; especially the dialogue.
3. The final five minutes are embarrassing; especially the dialogue.
4. You really can’t beat a shot of a big old European building being blown up. Repeatedly.
5. *SPOILER ALERT* It’s entirely feasible that a body double would stand in for the President of the United States at a major world summit; and that nobody would notice. Including a faithful bodyguard.
6. Spanish people are so hot-blooded, that of course terrorism would be the natural next step.
7. Spanish terrorists are also very handsome and brooding. Though their motives are still slightly unclear.
8. European city streets are far more conducive to exciting car chases than American city streets, being a) narrower and b) full of pavement cafes.
9. William Hurt has now joined that elite group of actors, namely Exactly The Right Ones To Play A Fictional President Of The United States. (Other members include: Harrison Ford, Gene Hackman, Jeff Bridges, Michael Douglas, Bill Pullman and Martin Sheen.)
10. Watching The West Wing spoils you for any further film or TV show depicting the inner workings of the Presidency.
11. Malaysians take phonecalls in the cinema.
12. Malaysians leave the cinema literally as soon as the first credit appears.
13. It’s quite difficult to get out of the seventh floor of a shopping mall when all the main exits are closed.
